It can be challenging to strike an equilibrium between the tourist hotspots and the quirky hole-in-the-wall restaurants that locals adore in Cape Town, which has a lot to offer both residents and visitors. Do not worry!
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I’ll demonstrate how to achieve the best of both environments in this guide. Without having to waste all of your valuable vacation time battling crowds and standing in lines, it is possible to live like a local and still visit some of the major sites. And all of that happened in a quick three-day trip! Hold on to your headwear, everyone. (No really, Cape Town can get fairly windy).
DAY 1: CITY SLICKER
Your Cape Town journey should begin in the city center. Get an early start and put on comfortable walking shoes because your goal for Day 1 is to see as much of the city as you can.
Obtain a seat on Cape Town’s renowned City Sightseeing Red Bus Excursion by going to the V&A Waterfront. They’ll also make a stop directly at the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway station, so you can get on and off as you, please. To avoid lines, you can purchase your Cableway passes on the bus. Even locals are astounded by the breathtaking views from the peak of Table Mountain each time they visit.
The bus will continue from Table Mountain to the breathtaking Atlantic Coast. You’ll drive across beaches that never give up and wonderful lunch locations with a view of the water. Don’t forget to look for coupons and savings on your bus ticket!
You can take a ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and his fellow political prisoners were held captive during the apartheid era if you return to the Waterfront in time.
You’ll be ready to relax with the locals after spending the day mingling with people from all over the world. See the Cape Town City Bowl at night to see the hub of activity there. There are places with live music, clubs, and eateries. You may head to Royale Restaurant for a burger (they don’t take reservations, so get there rather early) or watch a small-scale theater performance at Alexander Bar.
DAY 2: HEADING SOUTH
Rise and shine! You’re going to tour Cape Town today like locals. There are several options for transportation. The Southern Line to Simon’s Town can be boarded by going to the closest train station.
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What better way to experience the city than by traveling the same route as commuters every morning? It’s an incredibly economical way to go about it. If you’d rather, you could also drive.
Your first destination is the quaint seaside community of Kalk Bay. There is a harbor there where fishermen bring in large amounts of fresh seafood, which you may enjoy at the adjacent eateries. The most diverse clientele you’ll find in town, including both wealthy locals and wealthy tourists from abroad, frequents Kalky’s, a Cape Town institution.
From there, you can observe active artisans selling their products on the pier while Cape Fur Seals dart across the ocean in search of scraps.
Next continue south to Simon’s Town, where you’ll discover intriguing museums and the well-known Boulder’s Beach, which is home to an African penguin colony. After arriving at Boulder, Cape Point, one of the most breathtaking peninsulas in the world and a component of Table Mountain National Park, is only another half-hour away. To get there, there are numerous options.
There are some lovely spots to eat in False Bay in the evenings when there are hardly any visitors there. Although it doesn’t have a lot of nightlife, this is the spot to go if you want to watch the sunset while enjoying a glass of wine and a delicious seafood dinner.
DAY 3: WINE(D) DOWN
The Cape wines are well-known across the world, therefore it’s worthwhile to spend a day traveling the many wine routes and tasting the products.
You can reserve tours or rent a vehicle for the day, but keep in mind that you’ll need a sober driver. Pick from one of Cape Town’s many distinctive wine routes and spend the day among breathtaking scenery, stunning Cape Dutch architecture, and some of the top dining establishments in the nation.
Visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden if wine isn’t your thing. The grounds are beautiful, with an abundance of native plants and wildflowers. The beds are most colorful in the spring when that season is the greatest. A picnic on the lawns is one of the greatest pleasures of life in Cape Town, and this location also has a fantastic restaurant.
Some of the best gourmet food you can get in the nation can be found at the restaurants in the Winelands and Constantia. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for something a little more casual, Constantia offers a wide variety of dining establishments that can accommodate any spending plan.
